Functional networks of reward and punishment processing and their molecular profiles predicting the severity of young adult drinking

Abstract

BackgroundAlcohol misuse is associated with altered punishment and reward processing. Here, we investigated neural network responses to reward and punishment and the molecular profiles of the connectivity features predicting alcohol use severity in young adults.MethodsWe curated the Human Connectome Project data and employed connectome-based predictive modeling (CPM) to examine how functional connectivity (FC) features during wins and losses associated with alcohol use severity in 981 young adults. Alcohol use severity was quantified by the first principal component of principal component analysis of all drinking measures of the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism. We combined the CPM findings and JuSpace toolbox to characterize the molecular profiles of the network connectivity features of alcohol use severity.ResultsThe connectomics predicting alcohol use severity appeared specific, comprising less than 0.12% of all connectivity features. These connectivities featured the medial frontal, motor/sensory, and cerebellum/brainstem networks during punishment processing and medial frontal, fronto-parietal, and motor/sensory networks during reward processing. Spatial correlation analyses showed that these networks were associated predominantly with serotonergic and GABAa signaling.ConclusionsA distinct pattern of network connectivity predicted alcohol use severity in young adult drinkers. These network features were associated with the serotonergic and GABAa signaling. These “neural fingerprints” help in elucidating the impact of alcohol misuse on the brain and providing evidence of new targets for future intervention.